We’re often asked, "Why LGBT Tech?" How exactly does the digital landscape impact the LGBTQ+ community in ways that are different or more severe than other groups? The answer, while complex, lies in the stark reality of the digital divide—a divide that our new report thoroughly explores and explains.
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This report, The LGBTQ+ Digital Divide, reveals the profound and unique challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face in our increasingly digital world. For many, the lack of reliable internet access, affordable devices, and essential digital literacy is not just a barrier—it’s a form of exclusion. This exclusion results in limited access to vital healthcare, restricted educational opportunities, reduced employment prospects, and isolation from supportive social networks and visibility that are essential for well-being and resilience.
On the flip side, those in the community who manage to bridge this digital divide experience life-changing benefits. Technology and digital access have the potential to overcome some of the real-world barriers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, but only if those resources are accessible to all. Reliable connectivity and digital literacy open doors to better healthcare, educational advancement, and job opportunities, fostering stronger and more resilient communities. For LGBTQ+ individuals, being on the right side of the digital divide means not just surviving, but thriving in a world where digital access is key to empowerment and equality.
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Our report underscores the urgent need to ensure that all LGBTQ+ individuals can access these benefits, rather than being left behind. The LGBTQ+ Digital Divide is largely intended for policymakers and stakeholders who may be unfamiliar with the intersection of digital access and LGBTQ+ experiences. By shedding light on these critical issues, the report aims to inform and inspire action toward bridging this gap. We can, and must, bridge the digital divide together.
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The report’s executive summary can be found below, and you can read the full report here.
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